Oregon heads into its game with USC carrying a problem that’s bigger than any single player or coach: the Ducks are dealing with issues on both sides of the ball.
That reality was laid bare against Oklahoma State, where Oregon looked off rhythm offensively and leaky defensively in a loss that exposed just how much work still needs to be done. The Ducks managed only 281 yards of offense and 12 first downs, and they punted five times. On the other side, a defense that had been billed as one of the nation’s best surrendered 554 total yards, including 317 through the air and 237 on the ground.
Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker did damage in both phases, throwing for 317 yards and rushing for 109. Oklahoma State also produced 12 explosive plays against Oregon, a number that underscores how often the Ducks were on their heels.
As Ducks Wire put it: "Flipping now to the coordinators, neither was even close to good enough on Saturday. Offensively, the Ducks were out of rhythm and out of sync for the second game in a row, amassing just 281 yards of offense and 12 first downs in the game, punting five times.
Defensively, things were just as bad: a unit billed as arguably the best in the nation gave up 554 total yards, including 317 through the air and 237 on the ground. Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker threw for 317 yards and rushed for 109 yards.
The Ducks allowed Oklahoma State 12 explosive plays in the game.
"While the players are the ones on the field and will get a ton of direct criticism, anyone casting shade needs to start with the guys on the sideline. Going into a year where there were such high expectations, Lanning took a risk and hired a pair of inside guys who were on the team, rather than going national and getting big names.
On Saturday, that looked like a tough decision. Time will tell if it pans out.
This loss is absolutely on Dan Lanning and his staff for not having their team prepared, and it will be a mark on his resume until he can finally win the big game."
The bigger concern for Dan Lanning is that this isn’t just one fix. Oregon had to replace two coordinators, and so far that turnover hasn’t gone smoothly.
Lanning doesn’t just need one side settled before USC arrives in just over a week. He needs both.
And the Trojans will be hoping the Ducks don’t have enough time to get everything cleaned up.
In Other News...
USC Should Notice This Oregon QB Problem Before The Ducks Visit
Dante Moores first start against Oklahoma State gave Oregon enough to keep moving, but it also left a few things hanging for anyone paying close attention. The quarterback finished 14 of 29 for 191 yards and two touchdowns, yet his first-half passing total was only 45 yards, the lowest of his starting career. For USC, that matters because Oregons offense is built around a quarterback who has to settle in quickly when the pressure rises, and Moore has not always looked like the kind of passer who can carry a tight game from the opening whistle.
The concern is less about one uneven night than the larger pattern around Moores first-year run as the Ducks starter. There have already been moments when he has not quite matched the level expected of him, and that leaves a real question for a trip to Los Angeles: can he make the decisive throws when Oregon needs them most? USC will have plenty to sort out on its own before the Ducks arrive, but this is the kind of quarterback issue that can shape a Big Ten showdown long before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
USC Faces A Rutgers Threat Built To Keep Maiava Watching
Rutgers enters its Big Ten opener against USC with a backfield that has suddenly become a storyline of its own. The Scarlet Knights have been active in reshaping that room, including the addition of four-star running back Aiden Gibson, who flipped from Penn State to Rutgers and reclassified to the class of 2026, giving the program another intriguing piece as it continues to sort out its ground game.
For the Trojans, the challenge is less about the name on the roster and more about what Rutgers wants to do with the ball once the game starts. A running attack that can stay on schedule and drain clock is exactly the kind of approach that can keep USC quarterback Maiava on the sideline and turn an opener into a possession game, making the Scarlet Knights' ability to control the ground a central part of the matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Walks Into A Much Bigger USC Test Than Expected
USCs fast start has turned the Sept. 26 home date with Oregon into one of the seasons hottest tickets, with the school announcing the game is sold out. A 3-0 beginning has helped lift interest around the program, and the buzz has been fueled by quarterback Jayden Maiavas strong play and a wave of freshmen stepping into meaningful roles early in the year.
The matchup now carries a little more intrigue than the rankings might suggest, since Oregon is listed as a 1.5-point favorite even with USC sitting higher in the AP Poll. Both teams are expected to take care of business in the immediate lead-up, which only adds to the sense that this one could say a lot about where the Trojans really stand when a top opponent shows up in the Coliseum. [Read more 🡒]